Department for Transport

High Speed 2 Railway Line

lord berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the design and enabling works for HS2 phase one Area Central are (1) on time, and (2) within budget.

baroness sugg: The design and enabling works undertaken for HS2 Phase One Area Central under the Enabling Works Contracts are currently on time and on budget .

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Noha al-Balawi

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Saudi Arabia about the detention without charge of Noha al-Balawi; and whether they will press for her release.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: We are aware of media reports relating to the detention of Noha al-Balawi. The UK has consistently called for women in Saudi Arabia to be able to participate fully in society and we will continue to engage in dialogue on women's rights with the Saudi Arabian government. We do not shy away from raising human rights concerns with Saudi Arabian officials and will continue to do so using a range of ministerial and diplomatic channels. Our Ambassador in Riyadh last raised human rights cases with Saudi Arabian officials on 18 February.

Qatar: Human Rights

baroness northover: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Technical Mission to the State of Qatar's December 2017 report on the impact of the Gulf Crisis on human rights, particularly with regard to that report's conclusions on the impact of the crisis on (1) freedom of expression, (2) freedom of movement, (3) the separation of families, (4) economic rights, (5) the right to health, (6), the right to education, and (7) other matters.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Both the Minister for the Middle East and I have met the Chairman of Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee and discussed the contents of the report following the Technical Mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to Qatar. This included the impact that the current dispute is having on everyday lives of people in the region, as outlined in the report’s conclusions. Our assessment is that the best way of resolving the issues raised is for a resolution to the current dispute. We have repeatedly called on the Gulf States to find a way of de-escalating the situation and lifting the restrictions.  The UK will carefully consider any case and evidence presented at the UNHRC, as we do for all other issues. It is important that all states ensure they comply with international human rights obligations.

Sudan: Religious Freedom

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Sudan about the demolition of an evangelical church in Al Haj Yousif by State authorities; and what discussions they have had with the government of Sudan regarding the protection of freedom of religion or belief in that country.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The UK remains concerned by the restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Sudan, including the demolition of churches such as at the Al Haj Yousif site, and we will continue to raise our concerns with the Government of Sudan as part of our ongoing human rights dialogue. Promoting freedom of religion or belief as a means of enhancing tolerance and inclusion will remain an integral part of our ongoing engagement with the Government of Sudan.

Bangladesh: Sexual Offences

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to follow-up the initial deployment to Bangladesh of two staff under the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative; what gaps those staff identified in relation to (1) the documentation of sexual violence in conflict (SVC), and (2) the provision of services for survivors of SVC; and how they intend to help address any such gaps.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: Our independent civilian experts found that work is required to improve the capacity of the local authorities and other actors to gather and document evidence of sexual violence and to ensure appropriate psychosocial support for survivors. The experts also found constraints on the provision of services in the camps and shelters for survivors of sexual violence in a number of respects, including lighting, physical access to health and other support services, and physical security, especially at night.We are urgently implementing their recommendations in consultation with local actors, including by providing capacity building on the documentation of cases and further support for survivors of sexual violence.We are also deploying further civilian experts and trainers to build capacity on documentation. The Department for International Development (DfID) continues to fund the United Nations Population Fund, International Organization for Migration, UNICEF and Action Against Hunger, to improve outreach to and identification of survivors, establish referral pathways, and improve case management and support. DfID funding is also supporting gender-based violence services, including the provision of medical services, counselling and psychological support.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what work they are conducting with international partners in response to calls to freeze all international bank accounts and assets held by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and his entourage, until steps are taken to implement the Saint Sylvestre Agreement, including the release of political prisoners.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The British Government is increasingly concerned about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has repeatedly called on President Kabila to honour both the Constitution and the 31 December agreement. We are appalled by the violence used by the Democratic Republic of Congo forces against peaceful protestors. We have publicly condemned the excessive use of force on both 31 December 2017 and 21 January 2018. Although the British Government does not currently have plans to sanction the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we will work with regional and international partners to continue to press the DRC authorities to adhere to their electoral commitment, to open up political space, and to allow for peaceful assembly.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are takingto keep the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the top of the international agenda; whether they plan to raise it at the UN Security Council and with the African Union; and what steps they are taking to assist with all measures that seek to end the violence in that country.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The British Government released statements on 3 January and 23 January, following the deaths of protestors on 31 December 2017 and 21 January 2018, calling on the government to investigate and hold accountable security force members who fired on civilians or ordered the use of lethal force. The UK continues to pressure the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government to open political space and allow peaceful demonstrations.The British Government, alongside regional and international partners, will continue to press the DRC authorities to adhere to their constitutional commitments and hold elections by 23 December 2018. In March the UN Security Council will discuss the Secretary General's six-monthly report and negotiations to renew the mandate for the UN Organisation and Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO). The UK Special Envoy to the African Great Lakes will visit the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on 26 and 27 December to discuss the Peace Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region.

Gaza: Ports

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they plan to take, and what representations they are making, to expedite planning and negotiations for a new port to provide access to Gaza.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: The EU, with UK encouragement, has looked at a number of options for how it can encourage an easing of movement and access into and out of Gaza. This includes the possibility of EU assistance in establishing a sea-link from Gaza to another international port, currently envisaged in Cyprus. The UK has consistently called on the Government of Israel to ease movement, including at sea, and will continue to do so. We encourage the Palestinian Authority to fully resume its government functions in Gaza, and ensure that the reconciliation process between Palestinian factions is compliant with the Quartet Principles.

Israel: Palestinians

lord hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the demolition of the two EU-funded classrooms in Abu Nuwar by Israeli authorities on 4 February, whether they plan to call for the strongest possible response by the EU; and what representations they have made to this effect.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: On 6 February the British Consulate in Jerusalem joined EU heads of missions in issuing a statement expressing strong concerns about the demolition by the Israeli authorities of parts of the school of the Bedouin community of Abu Nuwar. Our Ambassador to Tel Aviv most recently discussed the issue of demolitions of Palestinian property with the Israeli authorities on 22 February. The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa also raised the issue of demolitions with the Ambassador on 27 February. Demolitions and evictions of Palestinians from their homes cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; call into question Israel’s commitment to a viable two-state solution; and, in all but the most exceptional cases, are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

Attorney General

British Nationals Abroad: Syria

lord blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have taken place between the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General regarding the potential prosecution of UK citizens who fought against (1) UK backed forces in Syria, and (2) ISIL forces in Syria.

lord keen of elie: The DPP has regular meetings with the Attorney General about the work of the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS makes its prosecution decisions independently. The DPP is required to seek the AG’s permission before she gives her consent to the prosecution of certain offences under terrorism legislation. The AG makes those decision in line with the Protocol between the Attorney General and the Prosecuting Departments, that is ‘independently of government, applying well established prosecution principles of evidential sufficiency and public interest.’

Department of Health and Social Care

Opiates: Misuse

lord luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government what NHS and voluntary services are currently available to help patients who are addicted to prescription opioids.

lord luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to provide and support community helpline services for patients who are addicted to prescription opioids and who are seeking help.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government takes seriously the issue of addiction to prescription medicines. People who feel that they might be dependent on either prescribed or over the counter medicines should seek help from a health professional in the first instance, such as a general practitioner (GP) or pharmacist. Help and advice is also available from, for example, the 111 helpline or the online NHS Choices service.It is the responsibility of local authorities to commission services to meet assessed local need, including addiction to medicines, and there may be a range of services which can help. Specialist advice for GPs and support for patients with complex and severe problems is available from substance misuse services, which are available in each local authority across the country.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

lord luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the economic cost of the loss of productivity resulting from muscolo-skeletal problems and chronic pain.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government is committed to helping people with musculoskeletal (MSK) and other long-term health conditions to get into, stay in, or return to work. Good work is generally for people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, and work participation has benefits for the wider economy. It is estimated that the total cost of ill-health that prevents working age people from working, is around £100 billion per year.That is why we published Improving Lives: The Future of Work, Health and Disability in November 2017. The publication sets out our plans over the next ten years focussing, in particular, on the next two to three years and on three key settings – the welfare system, the workplace and health services. A copy is attached.Support for people with MSK conditions is one theme of the publication, as MSK conditions are among the most common health conditions affecting people’s work participation. In relation to MSK services, we are continuing to invest in research to build our understanding of existing provision across the health and employment support systems.The Government will continue to work with other key stakeholders, disabled people and other experts as we develop our plans.



Improving Lives
(PDF Document, 2.12 MB)

Vaccination

baroness masham of ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria they use to assess whether to accept recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in relation to proposed changes to established immunisation programmes.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government bases its vaccination programmes on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert group. The JCVI bases its recommendations on review of a wide range of scientific and other evidence including from the published literature, commissioned studies such as independent analyses of vaccine effectiveness and cost effectiveness, and submissions from vaccine manufacturers. It keeps all vaccination programmes under review and considers new evidence as it emerges.Since 1 April 2009 the Health Protection (Vaccination) Regulations 2009 place a duty on the Secretary of State for Health in England to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the recommendations of the JCVI are implemented subject to certain criteria. Those criteria are that the recommendations must relate to a new provision or changes to an existing provision under a national vaccination programme, be made by the JCVI (rather than a sub-committee), be in response to a question referred to the JCVI by the Secretary of State, be based on an assessment which demonstrates cost-effectiveness and must not relate to vaccination in respect of travel or occupational health. These Regulations put the NHS Constitution’s right for patients and the public to have access to national National Health Service-provided immunisation programmes, as recommended by JCVI, on a statutory basis.

Pneumococcal Diseases: Vaccination

baroness masham of ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the public health benefits of adopting the recommendation made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation at its meeting in October 2017 that the pneumococcal immunisation programme move to a 1 plus 1 schedule.

lord o'shaughnessy: The Government bases its vaccination programmes on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert group.In October 2017, the JCVI considered all relevant evidence on the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and reviewed modelling undertaken by Public Health England on the impact of a reduced-dose PCV schedule in the United Kingdom. The JCVI advised a revised schedule for PCV with two doses of vaccine offered (a “1+1” schedule) rather than three. The JCVI is currently consulting on and reviewing its advice and will agree its final advice at a future Committee meeting, which will take into account public health arguments. The Department will consider and respond to this final advice in due course.

Department for Education

Free School Meals

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the annual value per child of providing free school meals in England.

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of theannual value of free school meals for each family in receipt of such meals in England.

lord agnew of oulton: Free school meals provide a healthy, nutritious meal to children and young people, and help to ensure they are well nourished, develop healthy eating habits and can concentrate and learn. The department estimates the cost of a free school meal to be £2.30 per pupil per day, based on the average cost of providing a meal according to a survey carried out by the School Food Trust. With 190 school days in each academic year, this is an annual cost of £437 per pupil, inclusive of the school’s relevant fixed costs.

Free School Meals

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is theirestimate of the cost to charities of the additional spend on food banks likely to arise from ending free school meals for thoseaffected by restrictions introduced by the Free School Lunches and Milk, and School and Early Years Finance (Amendments Relating to Universal Credit) (England) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/148).

lord agnew of oulton: Our transitional protection arrangements will ensure that no child will lose free school meals during the rollout of Universal Credit as a result of these new regulations. Under new criteria, we estimate that by 2022 around 50,000 more children will benefit from a free school meal compared to the previous benefits system.

Social Services: Children

lord bassam of brighton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received regarding the funding of children’s services from (1) fostering and adoption agencies, (2) local authorities, (3) private providers, (4) nurseries, and (5) parents.

lord agnew of oulton: The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. This is due to the volume of representations over a significant period of time. The government is listening to the views of the sector and service users, including about funding for children’s social care. The department meets regularly with sector representatives including local government, private providers and the voluntary sector. Discussions have included sector concerns around funding and demands on children’s services. In addition, the government is currently conducting a technical consultation as part of the Fair Funding Review of relative needs and resources. This review is seeking views on what factors drive local government spending, and how we account for this in a way that draws a more transparent link between local circumstances and local resources. The department regularly receives correspondence from private childcare providers, nurseries and other early years settings on a wide variety of topics related to the early years, including our funding rates. Getting our funding rates right is key to the successful delivery of our childcare entitlements, and the department is happy to hear from providers and other organisations.  As a result of consultations on schools and high needs funding in 2017 we received over 25,000 responses from local authorities, schools and other education providers, parents and others. The results of that consultation were published in September 2017 and a copy is attached. Since then the department has continued to receive representations from local authorities, schools and others about the funding allocated for children’s education.  



National Funding Formula Policy Document
(PDF Document, 714.71 KB)

Schools: Cheltenham

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, based on the latest funding formula, what will be the anticipated funding per pupil of Cheltenham schools in 2019–20; and what the equivalent figure was in 2015–16.

lord agnew of oulton: In 2017/18, the average funding for Cheltenham schools was £4,157 per pupil. We do not hold the equivalent figure per pupil for 2015/16, as we have not previously calculated funding on a constituency basis.In 2019/20, under the national funding formula, illustrative average funding for Cheltenham schools would be £4,310 per pupil, based on 2017/18 pupil data.Local authorities will continue to set their own local formulae, which will determine individual schools’ budgets in their areas for the next two years, in consultation with local schools.

Ministry of Justice

Fines

lord soley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether statutory instruments have been used to introduce increased fines for criminal offences at any point in the last 30 years.

lord keen of elie: The standard scale of fines set down in the Criminal Justice Act 1982 for criminal offences in England and Wales was increased by primary legislation in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, and the Level 5 maximum was increased to an unlimited fine in the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The standard scale has not been amended by Order in the period specified. Regulations may be made under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 provide alternative maximum penalties for some offences.

Department for Work and Pensions

Fit for Work Programme

lord luce: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce legislation in relation to the Fit for Work scheme; and if so, when.

baroness buscombe: There are no plans to introduce legislation in relation to Fit for Work.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Richmond Park: Diesel Vehicles

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the impact of diesel emissions on the wildlife of Richmond Park.

lord gardiner of kimble: We have not made any specific assessment of the impact of diesel-related emissions on the wildlife of Richmond Park.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

the earl of shrewsbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to extend the badger cull to (1) Staffordshire, (2) Shropshire, and (3) Derbyshire; and if so, to which areas in those counties.

lord gardiner of kimble: Should they wish, farmers and landowners across the bovine TB High Risk Area and Edge Area of England, which includes Staffordshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire, are able to apply to Natural England for licences to kill or take badgers for the purpose of preventing the spread of bovine TB, as set out under section 10(2)(a) of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Applicants need to meet the licensing criteria and demonstrate that they will be able to deliver safe and effective operations in order to be authorised to proceed, as set out in the Guidance to Natural England, which can be found on gov.uk at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629616/badger-cull-licence-guidance-ne.pdf Farmers in a number of areas have signalled their intention to submit applications to Natural England for licences to conduct badger culls this year. Licensing decisions are a matter for Natural England. 



NE badger cull licence guidance
(PDF Document, 259.08 KB)

Fisheries: Scotland

lord steel of aikwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Scottish Government about the effect of Brexit on Scottish fisheries.

lord gardiner of kimble: The Government is working closely with the Devolved Administrations to deliver a future fishing policy that works for the whole of the UK and reflects the different needs and circumstances of fisheries in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. There has been extensive, positive and productive discussions at Ministerial and official level between Defra and the DAs, including the Scottish Government. The Secretary of State meets regularly with his Ministerial counterparts in the Scottish and Welsh Governments and senior officials from Northern Ireland. Officials have also established joint Defra-DA working groups to strengthen collaborative working and preparedness as we consider the implications of exiting the EU on UK fisheries.

Sheep: Scotland

lord steel of aikwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions theyhave had with the Scottish Government about the findings of a report by Scotland's Rural College on the effect of Brexit on sheep farming in Scotland.

lord gardiner of kimble: Ministers and Defra officials meet regularly with the Scottish Government, along with their counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss a range of issues connected with the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. In connection with this, HM Government is undertaking a wide range of analysis and examining all areas of the UK economy, seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders. The report from Scotland’s Rural College “Assessing the impacts of alternative post-Brexit trade and agricultural support policy scenarios on Scottish farming systems” makes a contribution to that process.

HM Treasury

Environment Protection: British Overseas Territories

baroness scott of needham market: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the replacement for the EU’s Financial Instrument for the Environment will allow Overseas Territories to access funding for large scale environmental projects which smaller instruments cannot address.

lord bates: The funding choices we take after exiting the EU will be based on the UK’s priorities. Decisions will also be affected by the economic environment, the fiscal position and the negotiated outcome. As we start to take our own decisions in these areas, we will of course make sure all parts of the UK, including the Overseas Territories, are treated fairly.

Public Bodies

baroness bowles of berkhamsted: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bates on 22 February (HL5517), whether they are able to provide any examples, from the current centrally maintained list of non-departmental central government bodies, of other non-departmental central government bodies that have operated on the basis of expected status rather than actual status confirmed by the National Accounts Classification Committee; and if so, for how long those bodies operated before their status was confirmed.

lord bates: All bodies deemed to be in the central government sector by HM Treasury are included in the Governments Resource and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2017[1]. All bodies that have been classified by ONS to the central government sector are included in their Public Sector Classifications Guide[2] . The differences between the two reflect entities that have not yet been formally classified by ONS’s Economic Statistics Classification Committee but following HMT [1] http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/310/contents/made[2] https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/economicstatisticsclassifications/introductiontoeconomicstatisticsclassifications

Cabinet Office

Local Government: Elections

lord jones of cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to allow EU citizens living in theUK to continue being able to vote in local elections after the UK leaves the EU.

baroness stedman-scott: The Government was clear from the start of withdrawal negotiations that EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU should have their voting and candidacy rights protected.This is part of the wider question of UK citizens' rights in the EU and EU citizens' rights in the UK. We are disappointed that the EU is unwilling to protect these rights in the Withdrawal Agreement.

Government Departments: Recruitment

lord radice: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have spent on recruitment consultants in (1) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (2) the Department for Exiting the European Union, and (3) the Department for International Trade, since 23 June 2016; and what additional future liabilities, including success or retention bonuses, have been incurred as a result of engaging those recruitment consultants.

baroness stedman-scott: The amount spent on recruitment consultants for the following departments since 23rd June 2016 can be found in the table below: DepartmentAmount spent of recruitment consultantsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)£87,530.80*Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU)£0.00Department for International Trade (DIT)£300,175.00*  *Excludes VAT. No additional future liabilities, including success or retention bonuses, have been incurred as a result of engaging recruitment consultants for these departments.

Department for International Trade

Foreign Investment in UK: Japan

lord taylor of warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Japanese ambassador has raised concerns with regard to futureJapanese investment in the UK; and, if so, what assessment they have made of those concerns.

baroness fairhead: Her Majesty’s Government maintains regular contact with Japan and the Japanese Ambassador. The Prime Minister recently invited the Ambassador and representatives of Japanese business to Downing Street to talk about our future trade and investment relationship, which my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade attended. At this meeting, the Japanese Ambassador did not raise any specific concerns about future investment in the UK. The Ambassador noted that both he and the Japanese Prime Minister were grateful for the opportunity for Japanese investors to meet the Prime Minister, and that Japan is willing to work with us on our future trade and investment relationship. Japan and the UK are both keen to continue our positive trade and investment relationship with the minimum of disruption. We will continue to provide opportunities for Japanese business and the Japanese government to communicate with us on our future relationship – on the 1st of March, my Rt Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade Policy met representatives of Japanese businesses to hear their views on our trade and investment relationship, and to further explain UK trade policy. HM Treasury, BEIS and DEXEU all provided the same delegation the opportunity to discuss our trade and investment relationship. Our trade and investment relationship with Japan is a positive and growing one – in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Japanese investments launched 116 new projects in the UK. Toyota Motor Europe announced in March 2017 that it is investing £240 million to upgrade its car plant in Burnaston over the next three years, while Nissan announced in October 2016 that it will invest £500 million to produce Qashqai and X-Trail cars in Sunderland. Ensuring that the UK remains competitive is a key priority of the Government. This Department is constantly evaluating and enhancing the way we promote the retention and expansion of international business. To ensure that the UK continues to be a global leader in attracting FDI, DIT is looking at how it can deliver new ways to target support for those FDI projects that create the most value for investors and national wealth. In engaging with other countries, we highlight the strengths of the UK that make it the best place for companies to capitalise on emerging opportunities across Europe. We have a skilled workforce and a low tax and a well-regulated economy; speak English - the language of global business; and are in the right time zone to trade with both Asia and the US. We are home to some of the world’s finest universities, our research and development capabilities are cutting-edge and our financial institutions world-leading. All of this is underpinned by a well-respected and well-known legal system.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Broadcasting: Internet

lord storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatregulations are currently in place for podcasts.

lord ashton of hyde: In accordance with the Communications Act 2003 and the BBC Charter and Agreement, the Broadcasting Code rules cover television, radio, and BBC on-demand programme services (such as the BBC iPlayer) only. Ofcom does not regulate radio stations that only broadcast on the internet, including most podcasts. The exception to this is BBC podcasts. Those available via iPlayer Radio are subject to all the rules of the Broadcasting Code, as relevant. Ofcom can also advise whether podcasts on some other BBC online sites have met the required standards.

Simulation

viscount waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what budget they are allocating to train and evaluate personnel on individual tools, techniques and processes related to live, virtual and constructive simulated environments.

lord ashton of hyde: Individual Government departments and agencies make decisions on the appropriate tools to train and evaluate their workforces to meet their specific needs.